Rail anchor



Dec. 7 1926.

r R. A. BLAIR Filed May 26, i924 Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

ROLANDIS a. BLAIR, or near warns, INDIANA. ,AssIeNon TO THE. P a M co nANY,

or CHICAGO, rumors, A coRroRA'rron or rrmnvo 's.

RAIL ANCHOR.

Application filed May 26, 1939:. serial No. 715,804.

My invention relates to devices for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails, these devices being commonly called rail anchors, anti-creepers or rail stays.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a rail anchor of simple and compact construction, inexpensive to manufacture, which will maintain a reliable hold on the rail as against the tendency of the device to become loosened by vibration or other disturbing influences, and which may be quickly and conveniently put in place on the rail, or removed therefrom, if occasion requires.

A. further object of my invent-tion is the provision of a rail anchor so constructed that it may be removed and replaced several times witholut impairing its holdingpower.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a rail anchor so constructed that it can be used with rails having bases differing very considerably in width or contour.

A rail anchor initially tight on a rail sometimes loses its grip thereon due to such conditions as corrosion of the anchor and the rail at their points ofcontact, and it is a further object of my invention to provide a rail anchor which, without being removed from the rail, may be easily tightened thereon so that its grip willbe secure.

It is another object of my invention to provide a rail anchor adapted to prevent the longitudinal creep of railroad rails in both directions.

In its preferred form my invention contemplates a body member including a transverse portion adapted to extend under the rail base and a jaw portion adapted to err-- tend around and over one-of the base flanges, the distance between the under side of the jaw portion and the upper side of the transverse portion, when thendevice is free of the rail, being less than the thickness of that part of the base flange which is gripped therebetween so that the parts have to be sprung when the body member is applied to the rail. The transverse portion of the body member preferably is provided with a slot which is adapted to receive a key carrying; a shoulder or abutment adapted to engage the edge of the other base'fiange. A further object of my invention is to provide a key so formed in relation to its slot that the key will have to be distorted when it is driven into the slot whereby the key is reliably secured to the transverse portion of the body member and thus any reverse transverse movement of the body member, after the device is applied to the rail, is efiectively PIB? vented.

The invention consists in the novel arrangements, constructions and. devices. to be hereinafter described and claimed for carry,- ing out the above-stated objects and such other objects as will appear from the follow ing description of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a ,device embodying the principles of my invention andapplied to a section of rail, a por tion of the device being broken away to show better its construction 7 i Fig. '2 is a perspective VlGWV' of the body member of the device;v

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the key member of the device; and

Fig. 4: is a plan View of the key member.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several views.

Referring now to the drawings, the body member of the device is made from a slight 1y resilient steel bar, rectangular in cross-section, and which is tor-med or bent so as to prov de a portion 6 adapted to extend transversely ,under the rail baseand a jaw portion 7 which is adapted to extend around and over one of the rail base flanges. The .distance between the under surface 7? of the jaw portion and the topsur'face ,6 of the transverse portion, whenithe device is. free of the rail, is less than the thickness of that portion of the rail base flange which 'iIs-to be embraced by said jaw and transverse portions, consequently, in applying the device to" the rail, the jaw and transverse portions have to be forced apart. The transverse p0l tion-.6 of the body member on its upper side is provided with a slot or keyw-ay 8, the sides 8 of which are straight and parallel. The slot 8 may be milled into the portion .6 and need only extend part way therein, but it is preferably formed in the stock by passing the latter ibetween suitable rollers, in which case the slot will extend the length of the body member. A key 9, also of slightlylret the bottom of the rail base.

silient steel, is adapted to be driven into the slot 8. The width and height of the key 9 are equal substantially to the width and depth, respectively, of the slot 8. As best shown in Fig. 4, the key 9 is curved laterally so that, when it is driven into the slot, it has to be distorted or straightened. The key is formed with an upwardly extending portion 10 to provide a shoulder 10 to bear against the edge of one of the rail base flanges.

In applying the device to the rail the body member is positioned transversely of the rail and along one side of a tie 11 with the surface 7 of the jaw 7 in engagement with the sloping surface of one of the rail base flanges, for example, the flange 12, the upper surface 6 of the transverse portion 6 bear ing against the bottom of the rail base. The body member is then driven in the direction 1 indicated by the arrow, Fig. 1, by striking its connected end at 18 with a sledge or the like until the body member has a secure grip on the rail base. A sledge or the like is held against the connected end at 13 of the body member, to hold the body member against reverse movement, and the key 9 is then driven into the slot 8 until the shoulder 10 thereof bears tightly against the edge of the other rail base flange, in the present case, against the edge of the rail base flange 14. The jaw 7 exerts a powerful downward pressure against the top of the rail base flange 12 and the transverse portion 6 exerts a powerful upward pressure against The tendency of the body member to return to its original shape results in a strong, reliable gripping action on the rail base. Since the key 9 fits snugly in the slot 8 and is appreciably distorted when driven into the slot, there is a powerful and reliable binding action between the sides of the key and the sides of the slot or keyway which is ample to prevent the body member from working transversely iii a direction opposite to that id dicated by the arrow in Fig. '1. Since the body portion 6 is held tightly against the bottom of the rail base, there is no opportunity for the key to work upwardly out of its slot. The grip of the device on the'rail is ample to prevent any slippage thereof longitudinally of the rail in either direction, notwithstanding the disturbing influences to which the device is subjected due to the passage of heavy rolling stock and changeable weather conditions.

The device can be used with rails having extends beyond the adjacent base flange to or beyond the end of the key even when the j aw 7, while in gripping position, is relatively removed from the web of the rail. It will be apparent, therefore, that the device may be applied to rail bases having flanges relatively wide and thick, in which case the device will not be driven so far transversely of the rail base and the key willnot be driven so far into its slot, or it may be applied to rail bases having flanges relatively narrow and thin in which case the device will be driven a considerable distance transversely of the base and the key will be driven a considerable distance into its slot.

The device is of simple and compact construction and inexpensive to manufacture. It may be conveniently and quickly put in place on a rail. The holding power of the device, compared to the amount of metal used in it, is very great. The device may be readily removed from the rail by striking the end of the body member opposite the jaw and driving the body member in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow. The device may be reapplied to a rail, in fact it may be removed and replaced several times without impairing its holding power. It will be obvious, should the device lose its grip on the rail, that it may be easily tightened s that its grip will be secure by simply driving the body member farther onto the rail base, holding it against reverse movement and then driving the key into the slot sufliciently to bring the shoulder 10 against the edge of the adjacent base flange. The device will eflectively'hold a rail from longitudinal slippage in either direction.

I do not intend to limit my invention to the details of construction shown and described, except only in so far as certain of the appended claims are specifically so limited, as it will be obvious that modifications maybe made without departing from the principles of my invention.

I claim:

1. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising two Hit;

members, each having a portion adapted to l P engage one aril base flange, and a substantially horizontal portion adapted to extend beneath the rail-base, one of these horizontal portions having a passage in which the other horizontal portion may be adjustably engaged by driving same transversely of the rail base.

2. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising two members, each having a portion adapted to engage one rail base flange, and a. substantially horizontal portion adapted to extend beneath the rail-base, one of these horizontal portions having a passage in which the other horizontal portion may be driven after to engageone of the rail base flanges, and

a member adapted to engage the other rail base flange, one of said members havinga slot and the other having a. key adapted to be driven transversely of the rail intosaid slot, for the purpose specified.

4., A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and provided with a jaw portion adapted to extend around and over one of the rail base flanges and to be forced away from said member when the device is applied to a rail, and a member adapted to engage the other rail base flange, one of said members having a slot and the other having a key adapted to be driven transversely of the rail into said slot, for the,

purpose specified.

5. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a bar adapted to extend under a rail base and having a bend at one end to provide a jaw portion adapted to engage one of the rail base flanges and atthe other end a slot, and a member adapted to engage the other rail base flange and having a portion adapted to be distorted into locking engage ment with the Walls of said slot, for the purpose specified.

6. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted toextend under a rail base and having means adapted to engage one of the rail base flanges, and a member adapted to engage the other rail base flange, one of said members having a slot and the other having a key adapted to be driven transversely of the rail into said slot, said key normally being of ashape different than said slot so that when the-key is driven thereinto it is distorted, for the purpose specified.

7. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and provided with a jaw portion adapted to extend around and over one of the rail base flanges and to be forced away from said member when the device is applied to a rail, and a member adapted to engage the otheri rail base flange, one of said members having a slot and the other having-a key adapted to be driven longitudinally of the other member into said slot, said hey normally being ofa shape different-than said slot so that when the key is driven thereinto it is distorted, for the purpose specified.

S. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep. of railroad railscomprising, in

a combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and having a jaw adapted to engage one of the rail base flanges, and a member adapted; to engage the other rail base flange, one of said members having slot means and the other having key means adapted to be driven into said slot means, one of said means being relatively straight and the other of said means being curved laterally whereby said key means is distorted when driven intov said slot means, for the purpose specified.

9. A device for preventing the longitud-i-.

nal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and provided with a jaw portion adapted to extend around and over one of the rail base flanges and to be forced away from said member when the device is applied to a rail, and a member adapted to engage the other rail base flange, one of said members having slot means and the other having key means adapted to be ,driven into said slot means, one of said means being relatively straight and the other ofsaid means being curved laterally whereby said key means is distorted when driven into said slot means, for the purpose specified.

10. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep o1": railroad rails comprising, in

combination, a member adapted to extend.

under a rail base and having at one, end means adapted to engage one of the rail base flanges and at the other end a slot extending transversely of the rail, and a key adapted to be driven into said slot, said hey having a shoulder adapted to engage the edge of the lethler rail base flange, for the purpose speci- 11. A device for preventing the longitudis 12. A device for preventing the longitirdinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail 'base and provided at one end with a jaw portion adapted to extend around and over one of the rail base flanges andto be forced away from, said member when theidevice is applied to a rail, said member at its other end having a slot, and a key adapted to be driven transversely ofthe rail into said slot and having a shoulder adapted :to engage lee the edge of the other rail base flange, said key normally being of a shape diflerent than said slot so that when the key is driven thereinto it is distorted, for the purpose specified.

13. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroadrails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and having at one end means adapted to engage one of the rail base flangesand at the other end slot means, and key means adapted to be driven into said slot means and having a shoulder adapted to engage the edge of the other rail base flange, one of said means being relatively straight and the other of said means being curved laterally whereby said key means is distorted when driven into said slot, for the purpose specified.

14. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and provided at one end with a jaw portion adapted to extend around and over one of the rail base flanges and tobe forced away from said member when the device is applied to a rail, said member at the other end having slot means, and key means adapted to be driven transversely of the rail into said slot means and having a shoulder adapted to engage the edge of the other rail base flange, one of said means being relatively straight and the other of said means being curved laterally whereby said key means is distorted when driven into said slot, for the purpose specified.

15. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and having at one end means adapted to engage one of the rail base flanges, said member at its other end and in its upper side having a slot, and a resilient key adapted to be driven into binding engagement with the opposite walls of said slot, said key having a shoulder adapted to engage the edge of the other rail base flange, for the purpose specified. I

16. A devicefor preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a bar bent at one end to provide a jaw portion adapted to extend around and over one of the rail base flanges and to be distorted when the device is applied to a rail, said member at its other end having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, and a key adapted to be driven into said slot, said key having a shoulder adapted to engage the edge of the other rail base flange, for'the purpose specified.

17. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and having at one end means adapted to engage one of the rail base flanges, said member at its other end and in its upper side having a slot, and a key adapted to be driven into binding engage- .ment' with the opposite walls of said slot and having a shoulder adapted to engage the edge of the other rail base flange, said key normally being of a shape different than said slot so that when the key is driven thereinto it is distorted, for the purpose specified.

18. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and provided at one end with a jaw portion adapted to extend around and over one of the rail base flanges and to be forced away from said member when the device is applied to a rail, said member at its other end and in its upper side having a slot, and a key adapted to be driven toward the rail into said-slot and having a shoulder adapted to engage the edge of the other rail base flange, said key normally being of a shape different than said slot so that when the key is driven thereinto it is distorted, for the purpose specified.

19. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and having at one end means adapted to engage one of the rail base flanges, said member at its other end and in its upper side having slot means, and key means adapted to be driven toward the rail into said slot means and having a shoulder adapted to engage the edge of the other rail base flange, one of said means being relatively straight and the other of said means being curved laterally Whereby said key means is distorted when driven into said slot, for the purpose specified.

20. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a member adapted to extend under a rail base and provided at one end with a aw portion adapted to extend around and over one of the rail base flanges and to be forced away from said member when the device is applied to a rail, said member at the other end and in its upper side having slot means extending transversely of the rail, and key means adapted to be driven in to said slot means and having a shoulder adapted to engage the edge of the other rail base flange, one of said means being relatively straight and the other of said means being curved laterally whereby said key means is distorted when driven into said slot, for the purpose specified. 1

21. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a rail base embracing member formed at one end With a slot, and a member adapted to be distorted and driven into locking'engagement with the Walls of said slot and into engagement with one of the base flanges of said rail base.

22. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a rail base embracing member adapted to extend under a rail base and formed at one end with a slot, and a member having a resilient portion adapted to be driven transversely of the rail into locking engagement with the Walls of said slot and into engagement With one flange of said rail base.

23. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising, in combination, a rail base embracing member and a second member adapted to lock said embracing member in its operative position on a rail, one of said members having a slot and the other having a portion adapted to be driven transversely of the rail into said slot, Which portion is normally of a different shape than that of said slot so that one of said members is distorted to effect a grip on the other to lock said device in its operative position on a rail.

ROLAN DIS A. BLAIR. 

